Baldwin UFSD board adopts $172.9 million budget, approves capital measures and technology proposition for May 20 ballot

The Baldwin Union Free School District Board of Education adopted the 2025–26 proposed budget totaling $172,880,888 at its April 9 meeting and approved a package of facilities contracts, policy updates and ballot propositions that the board will present to district voters on May 20.

The board approved the budget in a roll-call motion moved by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mrs. Green; the chair called for the ayes and the motion carried. The board also voted to present several propositions to voters at the May 20 annual meeting, including a $450,000 technology reserve expenditure and an $18,100,000 capital projects proposition funded by two existing capital reserve funds.

Key votes and outcomes (all actions listed in the Friday mailing unless otherwise noted):

- Budget adoption: the 2025–26 proposed budget in the amount of $172,880,888 was adopted (moved by Mr. Smith; seconded by Mrs. Green). The board set the district’s reorganization meeting for July 9, 2025.

- Ballot propositions for May 20, 2025: the board approved language to present multiple propositions to voters, including • a technology reserve expenditure not to exceed $450,000 for third‑grade Chromebooks, styluses, cases and related equipment (moved by Mr. Smith; seconded by Mrs. Green); and • a capital-projects proposition totaling $18,100,000 to be funded by withdrawing remaining balances from Capital Reserve Fund No. 4 (established 05/21/2019) and up to $7,452,132.06 from Capital Reserve Fund No. 5 (established 05/16/2023) to finance career-technical education additions, Baldwin High School auditorium renovations, field and turf projects and selected electrical and HVAC upgrades (moved by Mrs. Cool; seconded by Mrs. Green).

- Capital reserve establishment: the board authorized placing a proposition on the ballot to create a new Capital 2025 reserve fund (Capital Reserve No. 6) with a maximum authorized amount of $25,000,000 and a probable five-year term; the resolution described possible eligible projects and proposed funding sources, including up to $10,000,000 from the 2024–25 budget (moved by Mr. Smith; seconded by Mrs. Green).

- Contracts and procurement: the board awarded roofing replacement contracts G1–G4 for Brookside, Plaza, Steel and Meadow elementary schools to Barrett Roos Inc. for a total of $2,701,000 (moved by Mrs. Green; seconded by Mrs. Kools); it also approved other consent-agenda business items (items 3–23) as detailed in the Friday mailing.

- Environmental reviews and facility approvals: the board approved a SEQRA Type 2 classification for the Baldwin High School career and technical education addition and auditorium renovation per 6 NYCRR 617.5(c)(2); it also approved a negative declaration under SEQRA for the Baldwin Middle School turf field roof replacement and repointing project, indicating that the project will not have adverse environmental impacts as reviewed (moved by Mrs. Green; seconded by Mr. Smith).

- Personnel, special education and donations: the board approved the monthly personnel actions report, committee-on-special-education recommendations, home tutoring and special education service reports, and accepted a $3,800 donation from the Orceli family to support the high school band’s music commission project (moved by Mrs. Green; seconded by Mr. Smith).

- Policy actions: the board read and adopted Policy 1120R (School District Records — regulation); it held first readings of Policy 8113 (Extreme Heat Condition Days) and other regulations and completed a second read and adoption of Policy 8130 (School Safety Plans and Teams) as described in the Friday mailing.

- Election worker pay: the board approved a pay-rate increase for election workers reflecting New York State minimum-wage changes: election inspectors at $16.50 per hour and chair/poll coordinators at $18.50 per hour (moved by Mr. Smith; seconded by Mrs. Kools).

Procedural notes: most motions were moved and seconded by board members identified in the Friday mailing or at the meeting; the chair called for the ayes and each motion passed without recorded roll-call tallies in the public transcript. The board relied on the Friday mailing packet for the detailed descriptions that accompanied each motion.

What’s next: the board scheduled the annual budget vote and board election for May 20, 2025 (polls open 7 a.m.; polls will close at 9 p.m.). Several propositions will appear on that ballot and the district will hold budget roadshows and a budget hearing before the vote.